BTS PASTORAL LETTER                                                                   24 February 2020

Text: Psalm 9:1-2

Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION

9 I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. Series of “I will” statements

a) This is to be noted

b) What is its significance:
Two things may be highlighted:

i) Desire
It expresses the desire of the Psalmist (King David)

ii) Determination
It also expresses his determination

2. A closer examination of each statement:

a) Praise of God

i) This is a good desire and determination

ii) This approach to life ought to be cultivated

iii) Praise must always be from the whole heart

iv) The name of God ought to be exalted

v) A heart of praise will truly bring honour to the Lord

b) Speaking of the marvellous works of God

i) The focus is never self

ii) The focus ought to be on what God has done

iii) The mighty deeds of God are found in the historical portions of the Bible

iv) Then there are marvellous works of God done in Myanmar (BTS, Churches)

c) Gladness and rejoicing

i) Praise cannot be genuinely given unless there is gladness of heart

ii) The heart must be one that has learned how to rejoice in the Lord

iii) There is every reason to be glad and to be full of joy

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. The challenge to be a joyful servant of God

a) There are so few of these joyful servants

b) So many seem to be grim and moody

2. Finding wonderful joy in the Lord

a) This is a joy that comes with salvation 1 Peter 1:8

b) It is a joy that the Lord Jesus promised John 15:11

i) This joy may be very rich and full

ii) This joy is found in the Teaching of Jesus

3. Helping people find joy in the Lord

a) The need for joy is very real

b) Let us seek to spread joy through ministry

 

Prayerfully,

Pastor Charles Tan